Srinagar, Oct 13 (UNI) Former J&K chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti was late on Tuesday evening released after remaining under detention for over 14 months.

The decision comes after the J&K administration late on Tuesday evening revoked Public Safety Act (PSA) imposed on her.

“In exercise of powers conferred under section 19(1) of the detention order, the government hereby revokes the detention order bearing no DMS/PSA/147/2020 dated February 5, 2020 issued by the District Magistrate, Srinagar against Mehbooba Mufti with immediate effect,” said an order issued by the Home Department.

Confirming the development, the officer twitter handle of Ms Mehbooba wrote, “As Ms Mufti’s illegal detention finally comes to an end, Id like to thank everybody who supported me in these tough times. I owe a debt of gratitude to you all. This is Iltija signing off. May allah protect you.” The twitter handle of Ms Mehbooba was being used by her daughter Iltija Mufti.

Meanwhile, expressing pleasure over the release of the PDP president, former chief minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah alleged that her continued detention was a travesty and was against the basic tenets of democracy. “I’m pleased to hear that @MehboobaMufti Sahiba has been released after more than a year in detention. Her continued detention was a travesty & was against the basic tenets of democracy. Welcome out Mehbooba,” Mr Abdullah tweeted.

Ms Mehbooba, Former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Farooq Abdullah, besides dozens of mainstream leaders, including ex-ministers, were detained on August 5, 2019, when centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35 A, besides bifurcated the state into two Union Territories.

The PDP president was later booked under the PSA and stayed in solitary confinement for over eight months.

Dr Farooq, who is MP from Srinagar, was released in March after remaining under detention for about seven months. Days later, Omar Abdullah was also released after about eight month detention.

However, Mehbooba Mufti was on April shifted from a Srinagar sub-jail to her official residence, where she was detained under PSA. The act against other political leaders was also revoked and they were released though they remained under house arrest. The detention of Mehbooba under PSA was again extended for three months on July 31.
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